Under title II and title XVI, we consider a person disabled under Social Security rules if he or she has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments):

that prevents him or her from doing any substantial gainful activity (SGA), and

has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death.

NOTE: The definition of disability also applies to persons applying for child’s insurance benefits based on disability before age 22 and for disability benefits payable after December 1990 as a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse.

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